10 ways masks are changing our daily lives

By Grace Duffield

Updated
5:04 pm EDT, Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Brian Posner wears a mask on Elm Street in New Canaan recently, in keeping with New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan's current request for people to wear face coverings, or masks in the town, and State of Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's executive order to wear face masks, or cloth face coverings when coming within six feet of another person. They will be required in the town’s downtown area come Wednesday, May 20, as the town re-opens amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Brian Posner wears a mask on Elm Street in New Canaan recently, in keeping with New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan's current request for people to wear face coverings, or masks in the town, and State of

Brian Posner wears a mask on Elm Street in New Canaan recently, in keeping with New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan's current request for people to wear face coverings, or masks in the town, and State of Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's executive order to wear face masks, or cloth face coverings when coming within six feet of another person. They will be required in the town’s downtown area come Wednesday, May 20, as the town re-opens amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Brian Posner wears a mask on Elm Street in New Canaan recently, in keeping with New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan's current request for people to wear face coverings, or masks in the town, and State of

NEW CANAAN — Donning a facial mask to go to the grocery store is a new experience for people as they try to tamp the spread of the coronavirus.

Several mask wearers recently spoke about their adjustments, sharing how the new fashion accessory has it drawbacks, while often emphasizing the overarching need to wear one to keep other people safe.

The new habit is in keeping with Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive order, effective April 20, that states people in public places in Connecticut, when not maintaining a social distance of nearly six feet from others, “shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face covering.”

Nancy O’Sullivan said she was accustomed to wearing masks since she is a retired nurse. “On the scale of what we are facing ... my biggest concern is why more people aren’t wearing them,” she said.

“More and more I think we are going to get used to it,” Sarah Routhier of New Canaan said.

1. A fogging spectacle

The most common observation was the fogging up the wearer’s glasses from the warm air as people breathe. Individuals offered a few suggestions to avoid the problem, including squeezing the cloth closer to the nose when there is a metal rim; washing the glasses with soap and water; or simply spitting on them.

“My glasses fog up,” Pam Miller of New Canaan said. “It is a issue for some of us who wear glasses. But I do like to think that we’re safer,” she added. “At this point, I’ll do anything to stay safe.”

2. Is that you?

Eric Deda of Norwalk said he was surprised that he does not always know his regulars when they are wearing a mask. “I work for a restaurant” and.”I wouldn’t be able to recognize customers covered by a masks — people I usually know,” he said.

3. Muffles

When Norwalk resident Jackie Anhrens wears a mask, “People are constantly saying: “What are you saying.” They can’t understand me — I have to take it off, and that defeats the purpose.”

4. Hold the garlic

Several people acknowledged they can smell their breath when wearing a mask. “If you don’t brush your teeth, you are doomed for the whole day. I have heard a lot of people comment on that,” Anna Camp of Darien, said.

5. The phone forgets

A phone’s face detection stops working when half of the face is covered.

Kendall Boege explained that when she tries to pay for groceries, since her features are not detected by her phone, it does not work, and as a result the she cannot use Apple Pay. “I need to take out my credit card. It’s frustrating. I don’t’ want to touch anything,” the Bedford resident said.

6. Are you smiling at me?

A common complaint is that people cannot tell if you are smiling at them. “You think about it from a child’s point of view” because “they won’t even see an expression on your face,” Maggie Juarez, of New Canaan said.

7. Coming on to you

If a smile cannot be seen, “It is hard to flirt when you have a mask on because the person can’t see your expressions,” Andrea Fondulas, the daughter of a New Canaan resident, said.

8. Half a tan

Wearing a mask has the potential to leave white skin where it covers, similar to the lines made by sunglasses.

Asked if he is concerned about having only the top half of his face get tanned, Rick Routheir said: “Often when we are out, we are walking,” and there is no one close by, “so we don’t wear masks. One of the nice things about New Canaan is we feel like we have a lot of space.”

9. Turning a page

The mask gets in the way if one wants to quickly lick a finger to move to the next page — this can be a surprise when the wearer is not aware of the habit.

10. It’s not about you

A change for some is acting in a way, perhaps slightly uncomfortable to oneself, to the benefit of strangers. “I think safety is number one. It takes precedence,” Mario Ganovsky said. “It’s not just to keep yourself safe, but everybody else.”